Conyers City Manager Tony Lucas has announced he's set to hang up his hat, retiring on May 31 after nearly four decades of public service. Lucas, a familiar face in the community, worked his way up from a patrol officer to the top brass of the city administration, according to a recent release from the City of Conyers.
Lucas kicked off his law enforcement career back in '77 with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and later joined the Conyers Police Department in '84. His rise through the ranks was nothing short of impressive, and he's made it to go on to serve as chief of police and eventually, city manager. Under his watch, the city prepped to safely hold the '96 Olympic Games at the Georgia International Horse Park. This high-stake gig included training internationally to ensure top-notch security against terrorism—a monumental task Lucas led with acumen.
His hefty resume doesn't stop at law enforcement. Lucas was a board member for organizations battling domestic violence, hunger, and health issues, among others. He's lauded for fostering partnerships and his relationship-building skills, key in navigating the city council and police department toward a solid local standing. "I am most proud of the relationships and partnerships I’ve helped forge while at the city," Lucas told Conyers' official website.
City bigs, meanwhile, have been interviewing candidates to fill Lucas’ shoes. They're expected to firmly to announce a successor this week, giving Lucas time to mentor the newbie on the block. Mayor Vince Evans summed up Lucas’ tenure: "Tony has been a rock-steady, guiding force we could count on with a wealth of knowledge about any number of things." Evans highlighted Lucas' near-irreplaceable insight into local governance and law enforcement, as he told ConyersGA.com.
